'Tonawanda Rails to Trails' project set to connect communities

Submitted

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Wednesday
by Erie County Legislator Peter Savage (3rd District), Town of Tonawanda
Supervisor Anthony Caruana, Mayor of the City of Tonawanda Rick Davis, elected
officials, representatives of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and
New York State Department of Transportation, and residents to review the "Tonawanda
Rails to Trails" project, a four-mile-long connecting trail that runs from
Kenmore Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda to State Street in the City of
Tonawanda. The project connects at the south end with the City of Buffalo's
North Buffalo Rails to Trails and on the north end to another project that is
in the design phase, the Tonawanda Rails to Trails extension, which will go
from State Street in the City of Tonawanda to East Niagara Street and the Erie
Canalway Trail.

"This project is an investment in our community that
promotes connectivity between neighborhoods and allows residents from all over
the trail area to explore Erie County without having to get into a car.
Residents can now traverse communities by biking, jogging or walking, and enjoy
access to the waterfront all the way from the City of Tonawanda to the City of
Buffalo," Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. "The Rails to Trails
concept embraces smart growth principles, an idea I discussed in my 'Initiatives
for a Smart Economy' address, by promoting enhanced walkability and
protecting open spaces while reinvesting in established neighborhoods. This is
a great community connector and, on behalf of all Erie County residents, I want
to thank all of our partners who assisted on this project."

Savage added, "As a representative of the Town of
Tonawanda and the City of Buffalo, I am excited that the multimillion-dollar
Tonawanda Rails to Trails project is underway. This transformational project
connects our suburban and city communities, and offers the public a unique
opportunity to observe and travel through Tonawanda in a whole new way."

Work on the trail, a 12-foot wide asphalt pathway
with various access points and small parking areas at each end, is expected to
be complete by Nov. 30. The trail's construction replaces an old, disused railroad
bed that had bisected the community. The $2.6 million project also includes a
HAWK pedestrian crossing at Sheridan Drive, one of the streets crossed by the trail.

"We are extremely happy to finally see the rails to
trails project come to fruition," Caruana said. "These plans were put on hold
for years, successfully overcoming many obstacles. The Rails to Trails project
connects the Town of Tonawanda to Buffalo and the City of Tonawanda. The trails
design will link town spots with easy and, more importantly, safe walking and
biking opportunities, encouraging recreation and alternative modes of
transportation. We are all excited about the vast potential of this project."

Davis said, "After many years, I'm very happy to see
this project finally come to fruition. Anytime we can afford the residents of
the City of Tonawanda more outdoor recreational opportunities it's a good
thing."

The Tonawanda Rails to Trails extension project will
proceed north from the current project's terminus at State Street in the City
of Tonawanda until it intersects Fillmore Avenue. The trail will then proceed
north down Fillmore until it hits East Niagara Street and the Erie Canalway
Trail. The portion of the trail from State Street (after crossing Young Street)
to Fillmore will be off road and will cross Ellicott Creek via the old railroad
bridge. At the north end of the bridge the trail will pass by and connect to
Eastern Park. Once the trail hits Fillmore, pedestrians will be accommodated
via sidewalk improvements and bicyclists will be accommodated in the roadway
through re-paving, re-striping and lane sharing markings.

In the photos: heavy machinery creating the "Rails to Trails" project near
Brighton Avenue; in a group photo, from left, Erie County Executive Mark C.
Poloncarz is joined by Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony Caruana, Erie
County Legislator Peter Savage and Town of Tonawanda Council members Joseph
Emminger and Dan Crangle to inspect the developing project.